The past few days have seen powerful and, at times, frightening images of protest and civil unrest stemming from the killing of George Floyd at the hands of the Minneapolis police department on May 25. Emotional reactions from all sides have flooded social media from rock and pop stars, among many others, and the music industry as a whole is planning its own “Black Out Tuesday” in response.
#TheShowMustBePaused is an initiative that has its own website, laying out its vision and goals for this important conversation:
Several major labels posted similar messages in support of peaceful protesting and the #BlackLivesMatter movement on Monday. Via E!:
Warner Music Group, Sony Music, Columbia Records, Def Jam Recording, Interscope Geffen A&M, Capitol Music Group and more are all set to participate, with many companies making donations to organizations fighting against racial injustice.
Here’s Atlantic Records:
“On Tuesday June 2nd, Atlantic Records in conjunction with Warner Music Group will observe ‘Black Out Tuesday.’ We will support our employees, artists and global community on this day.
The music business at WMG will not go on as usual. While this is only one day, we are committed to continuing this fight for real change. We will be using this day to collectively reflect on what we as a company can do to put action towards change and we will be taking steps in the coming weeks and months.”
Universal Music also shared a lengthy statement:
Interscope Records:
Capitol Records:
Several high-profile bands and musical acts followed suit, taking part in the #BlackoutTuesday initiative in order to further the focus and conversation on what really matters — racial injustice and the aims of the peaceful protesting going on in the United States the past week or so.
#BlackLivesMatter #TheShowMustBePaused pic.twitter.com/TctGotRN5e
— The Beatles (@thebeatles) June 2, 2020
Grateful Dead stand in solidarity with the black community. Get involved:
George Floyd Memorial Fund: https://t.co/CnJeCcHGn3
Justice for Armaud Armery: https://t.co/FF7z6Bi0ft
Justice for Breonna Taylor: https://t.co/ZASNxmc40Y
Minnesota Freedom Fund: https://t.co/W7QL3rO4Ji pic.twitter.com/V2FfQCS3S4— Grateful Dead (@GratefulDead) June 2, 2020
— BlackSabbath (@BlackSabbath) June 2, 2020
— Red Hot ChiliPeppers (@ChiliPeppers) June 2, 2020
— Coldplay🌙☀️ (@coldplay) June 2, 2020
BLACKOUT TUESDAY#TheShowMustBePaused#BlackLivesMatter#BlackoutTuesday pic.twitter.com/GbG8tguGxv
— Jimi Hendrix (@JimiHendrix) June 2, 2020
— Joan Jett (@joanjett) June 2, 2020
#blackouttuesday #theshowmustbepaused #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/hsTotCgsIg
— The Who (@TheWho) June 2, 2020
#TheShowMustBePaused @pausetheshow pic.twitter.com/skOKEecZap
— Radiohead (@radiohead) June 1, 2020
— Rock Hall (@rockhall) June 1, 2020
#TheShowMustBePaused pic.twitter.com/kjPJlkRcUY
— Aerosmith (@Aerosmith) June 2, 2020
We stand on the side of justice. Black Lives Matter. pic.twitter.com/07BcV8b5fj
— Guns N' Roses (@gunsnroses) June 2, 2020
